1. Jesus Lord of Creation A theology for environmental mission
Jemima Parker – Diocesan Environment Officer

2. 1. Jesus Lord of All Creation

3. The Son is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
Colossian 1:16-17

4. 1. Jesus Lord of All Creation

5. 1. Jesus Lord of All Creation
Reason 1: Creation brings glory to Jesus

6. 1. Jesus Lord of All Creation

7. 2. Created to Rule over All Creation

8. Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” Genesis 1:26

10. 2. Created to Rule over All Creation
Reason 1: Creation brings glory to Jesus
Reason 2: God has commission us to care for all creation

11. 3. Jesus is the Saviour of All Creation

12. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Colossian 1:19-20

13. 3. Jesus is the Saviour of All Creation
God
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Restored and renewed
through Christ to bring
glory to God
Restored and renewed through Christ to bring
glory to God
We talk a lot about our relationship with God, the redemption and restoration that we receive through Jesus.
God – Creation relationship – David Watkin’s God’s extravagant love. We see it everywhere: Stars light years away, plants an animals in multitudes of varieties, microbiology that blows our minds.
He also sent His son into His creation to save and restore it, to heal and redeem it. He has brought His saving Hope for all the world.
So where does that put our relationship with the earth. We have a special brother/sister relationship, a carer or close friend. Creation points us to praise God and Jesus commanded us to preach the gospel to all creation!
In reality our sharing of the gospel for the past few centuries has been almost completely anthropocentric.
Lets have look at the Leviticus passage that we had read to us. Leviticus 26: 1-12
People
The Earth
Provider, blessing relationship
with people
servant , steward relationship
with the earth

14. 3. Jesus is the Saviour of All Creation

15. 3. Jesus is the Saviour of All Creation
Reason 1: Creation brings glory to Jesus
Reason 2: God has commission us to care for all creation
Reason 3: Jesus came to rescue the whole of creation

16. 4. Jesus is Still Lord of All Creation

17. 4. Jesus is Still Lord of All Creation

18. “For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.”
Romans 8:19-21 (NIV)

20. Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15

21. 4. Jesus is Still Lord of All Creation
Reason 1: Creation brings glory to Jesus
Reason 2: God has commission us to care for all creation
Reason 3: Jesus came to rescue the whole of creation
Reason 4: Jesus has re-commissioned us to preach a gospel of good news for the whole community of creation

22. 5. Jesus will be Lord of a Renewed Earth

23. “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4

24. 5. Jesus will be Lord of a Renewed Earth

25. 5. Jesus will be Lord of a Renewed Earth

26. 5. Jesus will be Lord of a Renewed Earth
Reason 1: Creation brings glory to Jesus
Reason 2: God has commission us to care for all creation
Reason 3: Jesus came to rescue the whole of creation
Reason 4: Jesus has re-commissioned us to preach a gospel of good news for the whole community of creation
Reason 5: Creation is our future home with Jesus